Enrolled  August 22, 2024
Passed  IN  Senate  August 20, 2024
Passed  IN  Assembly  May 13, 2024
Amended  IN  Assembly  April 10, 2024

CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE— 2023–2024 REGULAR SESSION

Assembly Bill
No. 2442

Introduced by Assembly Member Zbur

February 13, 2024

An act to add and repeal Section 870.1 of the Business and Professions Code, relating to healing arts.


LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


AB 2442, Zbur. Healing arts: expedited licensure process: gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care.
Existing law requires the Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the Board of Registered Nursing, and the Physician Assistant Board to expedite the licensure process for an applicant who demonstrates that they intend to provide abortions within the scope of practice of their license, and specifies the manner in which the applicant is required to demonstrate their intent.
This bill would also require those boards to expedite the licensure process for an applicant who demonstrates that they intend to provide gender-affirming health care and gender-affirming mental health care, as defined, within the scope of practice of their license, and would specify the manner in which the applicant would be required to demonstrate their intent. The bill would repeal its provisions on January 1, 2029.
Vote: MAJORITY   Appropriation: NO   Fiscal Committee: YES   Local Program: NO  

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:


SECTION 1.

 Section 870.1 is added to the Business and Professions Code, to read:

870.1.
 (a) The Medical Board of California, the Osteopathic Medical Board of California, the Board of Registered Nursing, and the Physician Assistant Board shall expedite the licensure process for an applicant who demonstrates that they intend to provide gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care services within the scope of practice of their license.
(b) An applicant shall demonstrate their intent to provide gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care by providing documentation, including a letter from an employer or contracting entity indicating that the applicant has accepted employment or entered into a contract to provide gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care, the applicant’s starting date, and the location where the applicant will be providing gender-affirming health care or gender-affirming mental health care within the scope of practice of their license.
(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as changing existing licensure requirements. An applicant applying for expedited licensure under subdivision (a) shall meet all applicable statutory and regulatory licensure requirements.
(d) For the purpose of this section, “gender-affirming health care” and “gender-affirming mental health care” shall have the same meaning as provided in Section 16010.2 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
(e) This section shall remain in effect only until January 1, 2029, and as of that date is repealed.